Digital Network-Based Telephone Systems and Functionality

Abstract

A conferencing bridge includes a computerized appliance, a non-transitory physical memory medium coupled to the computerized appliance, software executing on the computerized appliance from the non-transitory physical medium, and telephone numbers for a plurality of persons associated with identification for the persons. A user configures a conference by entering and storing a time and date for the conference and identification of one or more desired participants, and at the time and date configured the conference bridge dials out to the one or more participants, and the participants who answer are joined in the conference.

1 . A conferencing bridge, comprising:
 a computerized appliance;   a non-transitory physical memory medium coupled to the computerized appliance;   software executing on the computerized appliance from the non-transitory physical medium; and   telephone numbers for a plurality of persons associated with identification for the persons;   wherein a user configures a conference by entering and storing a time and date for the conference and identification of one or more desired participants, and at the time and date configured the conference bridge dials out to the one or more participants, and the participants who answer are joined in the conference.   
     
     
         2 . The bridge of  claim 1  wherein participants dialed are asked to respond that they are joining, before the bridge adds the dialed telephone into the conference. 
     
     
         3 . The conferencing bridge of  claim 1  wherein the bridge stores alternative telephone numbers and messaging addresses for the desired participants, and a preferred order of messaging for each, and the bridge, at the time of the conference, accesses the stored information, accesses an appropriate messaging channel, and messages the desired participants according to the stored alternative numbers and addresses. 
     
     
         4 . The conferencing bridge of  claim 2  wherein the response by the desired participants is a pre-assigned digit or digit sequence. 
     
     
         5 . The conferencing bridge of  claim 3  wherein a response mechanism compatible with the appropriate messaging channel selected is implemented. 
     
     
         6 . The conferencing bridge of  claim 1  wherein a conference is configured with a list of participants, but without a time and date, and wherein the user accesses the bridge through an interactive interface to start a conference. 
     
     
         7 . The conferencing bridge of  claim 6  wherein the user, through the interactive interface, selects once to message all persons in the list to start a conference. 
     
     
         8 . The conferencing bridge of  claim 6  wherein the user, through the interactive interface, selects individual participants form the list, one-at-a-time or in sub groups, rather than all desired participants to initiate a conference. 
     
     
         9 . The conferencing bridge of  claim 6  wherein the user is notified as each participant joins the conference. 
     
     
         10 . The conferencing bridge of  claim 6  wherein the interactive interface includes a whisper function whereby the user is informed of specific aspects of the conference as the conference continues, the whisper not heard by other participants.